Assess proximity to ports and airports, quality of primary and secondary roads, intermodal terminals, and feeder service frequency. Verify the 3PL's carrier agreements, cross-dock capacity, and access to regional parcel networks. Technology integration (WMS/TMS/APIs) and local customs expertise are critical for consistent lead times.

Compare storage density, slotting strategy, pick frequency, labor rates, and value-added service charges. B2B favors pallet throughput and dock availability; eCommerce needs high pick density, packing stations, and returns processing. Use a cost-to-serve model to project landed cost per order across volumes and SKUs.

Look for scalable labor pools and contingent workforce capacity, flexible slotting, robust WMS with seasonal surge rules, integrated returns processing and RMA workflows, multi-channel order orchestration, and SLAs tied to performance metrics. Visibility tools and forecast-driven labor planning reduce peak cost volatility.

Bonded and free-zone warehouses defer duties until domestic entry, enable consolidation and re-export without immediate tariff impact, and often provide expedited customs clearance lanes. These capabilities lower landed inventory costs, shorten time-to-market for cross-border flows, and support just-in-time replenishment strategies.